All about sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes breathing difficulties during sleep. It can disrupt your breathing more than 30 times each night and is marked by pauses in normal breathing, gasping, waking with headaches, feeling tired and foggy during the day, and loud snoring that may disturb your partner’s sleep.
- Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common kind, happens when tissues at the back of the throat collapse and block the airway while you sleep.
- Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain does not properly signal the muscles to breathe, causing interruptions.
There are two main types of sleep apnea:
What are the benefits of sleep apnea treatment?
A good night’s sleep is vital for emotional and physical health. Even if you don’t recall waking at night, sleep apnea disrupts your sleep cycle and can harm your health, relationships, and quality of life. Besides better sleep, treatment offers several benefits.
Better physical health
Treating sleep apnea lowers risks of high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, liver problems, and reduces stress on your metabolism. It can also reduce risks associated with surgery or medication.
Feel like yourself again
Many people with sleep apnea feel forgetful or have trouble finding words. They report waking up groggy and feeling stuck in a fog all day. Treatment helps people feel sharper, more focused, and more like themselves.
Strengthen your relationships
Stopping snoring and restlessness improves sleep for both you and your partner. You will both wake feeling refreshed and in a better mood, making parenting, work, and social life more enjoyable. Your good mood can be contagious.
How is sleep apnea treated?
Treatment depends on the cause and severity, and it is important to find an option that fits your lifestyle.
If you are looking for a caring and knowledgeable Dentist in Etobicoke to help with sleep apnea treatment, our team is ready to support your journey to better sleep and health.
Lifestyle changes
Mild sleep apnea can often be managed at home. Your dentist may suggest losing weight, avoiding alcohol and sleeping pills, adjusting your sleep position, improving sleep hygiene, and quitting smoking. These are safe and effective and often used alongside other treatments.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
CPAP machines are the most common treatment. A mask worn over the nose or mouth delivers a steady stream of air to keep airways open during sleep. Various masks and machines are available to suit your needs and comfort.
Oral appliances
Oral devices worn while sleeping can ease symptoms. They look like mouthguards and work by keeping airways clear, pulling the jaw forward, or stabilizing the tongue.
Surgery and medication
Some sleep apnea cases require surgery or medication. Common surgeries include fixing a deviated septum, widening the throat or airway, or adjusting the jaw to relieve blockages.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Symptoms include loud or frequent snoring, pauses in breathing during sleep, waking choking or gasping, waking at night to use the bathroom, and feeling unrested in the morning. Daytime symptoms may include headaches, poor concentration, irritability, memory loss, foggy thinking, and lower sexual desire.
Many factors can cause sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common in adults, is often linked to excess weight. A professional examination is needed to determine the type and cause.
Your brain senses when you cannot breathe and briefly wakes you to open your airway. These awakenings can be so short you do not remember them but still feel tired during the day. You may wake over 30 times each night without awareness.
Risk increases if you are overweight, male, have a family history of sleep apnea, use alcohol or sleeping pills, smoke, or have nasal congestion. Older adults are also more likely to have sleep apnea.
Research shows sleeping on your side, also called the lateral position, helps relieve sleep apnea and snoring.
Although most people with obstructive sleep apnea are overweight, thin people can also develop sleep apnea for various reasons.
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